Apparatus for generating heavy oxygen molecules

ABSTRACT

An air ionizing apparatus for producing heavy oxygen molecules includes an electrode assembly and a transformer source of high electrical potential for the electrode assembly. The latter comprises an open-ended rectangular metallic container within which are retained three flattened tubular spirals of metal wire mesh, the middle one of which is isolated by dielectric inserts, and the outer ones of which contact the container. Each is wound to form effectively a tube within a tube and is locked in such form by downwardly bent portions of the outer end of the spiral engaging the mesh directly below. One side of the high potential is connected by means of the container to the outer electrodes. The center electrode is removably connected to a high voltage post by a wire contact mounted upon opposite walls of the inner electrode tube and resiliently engaging a terminal post leading to the other side of the high potential source.

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Dec. 9, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS APPARATUS FOR GENERATINGHEAVY OXYGEN MOLECULES Joseph E. Wright, Jr., 1119 E. Prairie Ave.,Wheaton, 111. 60187 Filed: July 11, 1974 Appl. No.: 487,644

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 340,296, March12, 1973, abandoned.

Inventor:

US. Cl. 250/432; 21/74 A", 250/539 Int. Cl? H01J 37/00 Field of Search250/539, 432, 435, 436;

21/74 R, 74 A, 102 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1965Trikllis 250/539 3/1967 Caplan 250/539 8/1948 United Kingdom 250/539Primary Examiner-Craig E. Church [57] ABSTRACT An air ionizing apparatusfor producing heavy oxygen molecules includes an electrode assembly anda transformer source of high electrical potential for the electrodeassembly. The latter comprises an open-ended rectangular metalliccontainer within which are retained three flattened tubular spirals ofmetal wire mesh, the middle one of which is isolated by dielectricinserts, and the outer ones of which contact the container. Each iswound to form effectively a tube within a tube and is locked in suchform by downwardly bent portions of the outer end of the spiral engagingthe mesh directly below. One side of the high potential is connected bymeans of the container to the outer electrodes. The center electrode isremovably connected to a high voltage post by a wire contact mountedupon opposite walls of the inner electrode tube and resiliently engaginga terminal post leading to the other side of the high potential source.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US, Patant Dec. 9, 1975 3,925,673

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44 FIG.4 40

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HEAVY OXYGEN MOLECULES This is a continuation,of application Ser. No. 340,296, filed March 12, 1973 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general toapparatus for generating oxygen of higher than normal molecular weights,and more particularly'to apparatus accomplishing such generation bymeans of subjecting air to an electrical discharge.

It has long been known that when ordinarily occurring oxygen, whosemolecular form may be symbolized as is ionized, that is, subjected to anelectrical discharge, some of the 0 oxygen will be converted tomolecules of heavier molecular weight, such as 0 O and 0 These heavyoxygen forms, particularly those above 0 are highly useful oxydizingagents, especially in air purification applications, since they destroybacteria, fungi, and other foreign matter responsible, for example, forobjectionable odors.

In order to exploit these principles, various types of ionizingapparatus have been constructed, all of which depend on an electricaldischarge to produce heavy oxygen forms and obtain the purificationbenefits described above. However, few of the prior art ionizing deviceshave met with much success or have been fully satisfactory, andinefficiency and excessive cost in construction and operation hasprevented wide acceptance of the devices. Also, the typical prior artapparatus has tended to produce relatively less of the higher orderheavy oxygen and relatively more of the lower order 0 oxygen, therebyfurther impairing effectiveness. Thus, the problem has remained in theart of obtaining an effective yield of heavy oxygen with an apparatus ofacceptable efficiency and susceptible of rapid straightforwardfabrication so as to keep costs within reasonable bounds.

One area of major expense, as well as of inordinate influence on theperformance of the apparatus, is that of the electrodes between whichthe electrical discharge for converting O to higher forms is maintained.Yet the problem of providing a suitable electrode assembly from theviewpoints of expense, effectiveness, practicality and convenience inuse has not been satisfactorily solved, and has inhibited the use ofheavier oxygen producing apparatus, despite the growing need andinterest in air purification in recent years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention satisfiesthe need for air purification apparatus and solves the problems evidentin the prior art by providing an air ionizing apparatus of superioreffectiveness and efficiency, as well as convenience of use, while atthe same time reducing complexity and fabrication costs.

The apparatus includes a plurality of electrode elements each comprisedof a tubular spiral of metal wire mesh wound so as to define effectivelyan inner tube coaxially within an outer tube. Such spiral includes aninner portion overlapped by an outer portion, with the end of the outerportion being at least partially inwardly bent and engaging the inwardportion of the electrode element.

In this manner the spiral electrode is locked into the loop within aloop configuration, which has been found to give a particularlyadvantageous amount of heavy oxygen for a given energy expenditure. Yetfabrication is greatly simplified as compared to prior electrodeexpedients.

The apparatus further includes means for retaining the electrodeelements in a side-by-side parallel aligned array and dielectric meansfor effecting an insulating separation between adjacent electrodeelements of the array. Finally, included are means for establishing anelectric discharge between adjacent ones of the elec- 0 trode elementsto ionize the air about the electrode elements and produce heaviermolecular forms of oxygen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sideelevational view of the generator of the present invention, with thehousing thereof partially cut away to show the internal components;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the generator of FIG. 1, showing the controland power supplying components of the generator;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the generator of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing theheavy oxygen generating portion thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the heavy oxygen generatingportion of the generator shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, taken along line 4--4of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing details of an element of thegenerator portion of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodimentin many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinbe described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of theinvention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawing, the complete generating apparatus of thepresent invention including its principal elements is shown in FIG. 1.It may be seen that the generator is made up of a housing assembly 10, atransformer and control assembly 20, and an electrode assembly 40, withthe latter two being secured upon opposite sides of a frame support 12,which in turn is secured within the housing 10. The housing alsoincludes a louvered cover plate shown partially in FIG. 1 at 14 to allowair into the interior of the generator for cooling purposes and for theconversion of its oxygen to heavier forms. The housing 10 in generalforms a fully enclosed, rectangular enclosure for the generator so as toprevent contact between the user and the electrically chargedcomponents, except for openings to allow control components to protrudetherefrom for manipulation by the user.

The transformer of the assembly 20 furnishes the electrical energy topower the generator, and includes a primary winding 22 and a secondarywinding 24. Primary winding 22 is supplied with ordinary voltalternating current from line 26, through fuse 28, rheostat 30 andon-off switch 32. Rheostat 30 enables the user to control the amount ofpower being supplied to the generating process, and thereby to controlthe production of heavy oxygen, Secondary winding 24 terminates in twooutput lines 33 and 34, the former of which is secured to a high voltageinsulated terminal member 36, and the latter of which is secured toframe support 12 by a fastener 37 (FIG. 2). High voltage terminal member36, which is secured to frame support 12 and protrudes on the oppositeside thereof from transformer 20, includes a metallic post 38 passingcentrally and axially therethrough and through frame support member 12,and to which is bolted secondary output lead 33. Accordingly, one sideof the high potential from transformer is found at frame support 12,while the other side of the high potential is present at post 38 ofterminal member 26.

The electrode assembly 40 is secured to the same side of frame support12 as terminal 36 and is comprised of a metallic container 42, threeelectrode elements 45, 46, and 47, and means for effecting an insulatingseparation between adjacent electrode elements, as will be describedbelow. Container 42 is of generally rectangular form, but open at twoends to permit air to enter therewithin. Also, container 42 is metallicand preferably of stainless steel, as are the electrode elements, toinhibit corrosion.

Container 42 comprises two U-shaped portions 43 and 44, which areassembled to form a generally rectangular enclosure which is square incross-section (taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 4).However, portion 44 is of greater length than portion 43, as best seenin FIG. 1. As viewed in FIG. 4, portion 43 has legs 43a and 43bconnected by side 430, with both legs being shorter than side 43c.Portion 44 has legs 44a and 44b connected by side 446, all of equalwidth in cross-section. Side 430 is slightly larger in width than side44c, to permit portions 43 and 44 to be brought together so that legs43a and 43b overlap legs 44a and 44b, and side 43c bridges legs 43a and43b, thereby forming container 42. Screws 55, passing through therespective overlapped pairs of legs of portions 43 and 44, lock suchlegs together to form the unitary sides 42a and 42b of container 42.Since portion 44 is longer than portion 43, a protruding section 444(see FIGS. 1 and 3) is defined. Portion 44d is integral with sides 44a,44b, and 44c and extends outwardly from one end of container 42. Holesare provided in the section of portion 44d which is integral with side44c, whereby the assembly 40 is secured with screws 41 to frame support12.

Retained within container 42 are the electrode elements 45, 46 and 47,as best seen in FIG. 4 cross-sectional view and the FIG. 4A perspectiveview, for sustaining the electrical discharge for obtaining heavieroxygen. Each of such electrodes is constructed of a single rectangularpiece of metallic wire mesh, preferably of stainless steel, folded intoa resilient flattened tubular configuration to be described below inmore detail. Each electrode is approximately of the same cross-sectionalarea and configuration, with a relatively long width (in the directionof side 42a) comparable to that of container 42, and a relatively narrowheight (in the direction of side 44c), thereby defining nearly flat topand bottom electrode sides. The container 42 retains the threeelectrodes, whose length is somewhat less than that of container 42, orside 430, in side-byside aligned parallel array, with the sides thereofin mutually facing attitude.

The flattened tubular spiral construction of each of the electrodes45-47 may be described as effectively an inner tube 56 lying coaxiallywithin an outer tube 58. From FIGS. 4 and 4a, it may be seen that bothinner tube 56 and outer tube 58 in cross-section taken transverse to theelement axis define flattened ellipses, with that of the former beingnarrower along its minor axis, but with both having approximately equalmajor axes. Thus, with the illustrated preferred construction, bothinner tube 56 and outer tube 58 have respective lower sides 56a and 58a,and upper sides 56b and 58b which are generally parallel to each other,with the lower sides 56a and 58a of each electrode relatively closelyspaced, as are the lower sides 56b and 58b thereof. Further, bothflattened tubes have outer longitudinal edges, inner tube 56 havingedges 56c and 56d, and outer tube 58 having edges 58c and 58d, withedges 56c and 580 in contact, and edges 56d and 58d also in contact.

The means for effecting an insulating separation between alternateelectrode elements, necessary in order for the electrodes to function,include four dielectric plates 50-53. Each is preferably of mica and ofa width matching that of sides 42a and 42b of the container, and of alength somewhat greater than that of side 43c. Plates 50 and 51 arerespectively positioned between elements 45 and 46, and between elements46 and 47, electrically isolating element 46 from the other twoelements. In order to isolate element 46 from sides 43c and 440 of thecontainer, dielectric plates 52 and 53 are positioned between the edgesof plates 50 and 51 and the sides 43c and 440, fully covering the insidesurfaces of such sides.

As may be seen from FIG. 4, dielectric plates 50 and 51 areperpendicular to plates 52 and 53, and sides 42a and 42b of container42. Both outside electrodes 45 and 47, while respectively contactingdielectric plates 51 and 50 along one of their outer sides, also contactthe container sides 42a and 42b along their opposite outer sides. Theentire assembly of dielectric plates and elements is retainedfrictionally within the container 42, due to the resiliency of theelectrodes 45 through 47. Thus, plates 50 and 51 are tightly andresiliently held between the facing outer sides of the electrodes, whileplates 52 and 53 are tightly and resiliently held respectively againstcontainer sides 44c and 430 by the longitudinal edges of the threeelectrodes. Screws 55, which hold the container 42 together, protrudeinto outside electrodes 45 and 47, and help to anchor them and as wellas to insure an optimum electrical connection between the container andthese elements. The dielectric plates 50-53 extend lengthwise beyond theends of the electrodes (FIG. 3) to lengthen the path around them to thecontainer metal and further protect against high voltage electricalshorting.

With the just-described electrode assembly package, it will beappreciated that the standardization of the elements and the dielectricplates to one configuration, and the isolation of the center electrodetogether with the electrical association of the outside electrodes withthe container. results in unusually easy assembly and simplicity ofdesign. Only one type of dielectric, and one type of electrode is neededfor the package, yet the electrode assembly is not only rapidlyconstructed, but it is also inherently more reliable because of itssimple symmetric configuration.

The loop within a loop configuration afforded by the use of a spiralelectrode has been found highly advantageous in producing improvedyields of heavy oxygen as compared to other electrode configurations.Yet the one-piece and one-operation formation of the tube within a tubeby means of the spiral configuration achieves these advantages in ahighly convenient, durable, and simplified manner. The spacing betweeninner tube 56 and outer tube 58, that is, between tube sides 56a and58a, and sides 56b and 58b, may be easily and precisely controlledduring formation of the electrodes.

This insures uniform electrical characteristics both.

within each element and as compared to the other elements, as well asthe maintenance of optimum air circulation about the wire mesh materialof each electrode. Both a superior degree of interaction between opposedelectrode elements, as 'well as a superior degree of interaction betweenelectrodes and the surrounding air is thereby achieved.

In order to securely lock the electrode in the abovedescribedconfiguration, the outer end 60 of the mesh forming the spiral isarranged to partially overlap upper side 58b of outer tube 58. Thetrailing edge of overlapping end 60 has a fraction of an inch ofprotruding wires, typical ones of which are denominated as 60a, whichare bent inwardly, preferably at right angles, to end 60 they thusengage upper side 58b of the outer tube 58, which is the portion of theelectrode which lies immediately inwardly, by penetrating the spacingsof the mesh material. One or more of the protruding wires, preferably ateach end, are then further bent back parallel against tube 58 for aneven more secure electrode package. Such parallel-bent wires are markedas 60b in FIG. 4A. Not only is the electrode configuration secured, buta more positive electrical conduction is achieved; furthermore, anyprotruding wires which might otherwise scratch or penetrate a dielectricplate are redirected away from the dielectric material.

To complete the electrode assembly 40, a wire connector clip 61 having apair of opposed elongated legs 62 and 64 (see FIG. 3) is passedlongitudinally along inner tube 56 and into the wire mesh material ofinner electrode 46, so that each of the legs at one of their ends 62aand 64a engages a respective side 56b and 56a of inner tube 56 (see alsoFIG. 4), and protrudes centrally outwardly and longitudinally of theelement. At the other end of the clip, the legs 62 and 64 are joined bya curved section 65 of narrow radius, causing the spacing between legsnear the closed end to become progressively more restricted. Thus, aclosed narrow loop of narrowing cross-section is provided whichresiliently resists any further separation of the legs.

In order to bring the proper electrical potential to the respectiveelectrodes, clip 61 is positioned over terminal post 38, with oppositelegs 62 and 64, and curved section 65, resiliently engaged about thepost. Preferably, post 38 is threaded, and nut 68 is screwed down alongthe post 38 against clip 61 to secure the connection mechanically andelectrically. In this manner, output line 33 from transformer secondarywinding 22 is connected to the inner electrode element 46. At the sametime, container 42 is secured in mechanical and electrical contact withframe support 12 by screws 41, and consequently the outer electrodes 45and 47 are thereby connected through container 42 to output line 34 oftransformer secondary 22. When the transformer primary is energized byturning switch 32 on and setting the rheostat at a desired level, theinner and outer electrodes are respectively supplied with opposite sidesof a high electrical potential. Thereupon, a corona discharge isestablished between adjacent electrodes, that is, between both innerelectrode 46 and outer electrode 45 and between inner electrode 46 andouter electrode 47. The air about the electrodes is thereby ionized toproduce heavy oxygen forms, with the substantial percentage being formsheavier than 0 I claim:

1. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodeelements each comprised of a flattened tubular spiral of metal wire'meshwound so as to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within anouter tube and so that the inner tube is of substantially the same widthas said outer tube; means for retaining said electrode elements in aside-by-side array with the tubes thereof generally aligned andparallel; dielectric means for effecting an insulating separationbetween adjacent electrode elements of said array; and means forestablishing an electric discharge between adjacent ones of saidelements.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which both said inner tube and said outertube define in cross-section a flattened ellipse, said inner and outertube also each defining respective first and second sides generallyparallel to each other.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, which further includes a rectangularmetallic container with open ends in which said electrode elements arecontained so that the ends thereof face said open ends, a first set ofdielectric plates separates alternate ones of said elements, and asecond set of dielectric plates perpendicular to the first set separatessaid elements from two sides of said container.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said dielectric plates extendbeyond said electrode element ends to extend the insulating path betweensaid element and said container.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said container contains threeelectrode elements and the inner one thereof is separated from the outertwo thereof by a first pair of said plates while a second pair of saidplates perpendicular to said first pair separates all of said elementsfrom two sides of said container, said outer electrodes contacting theremaining two sides of said container.

6. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodeelements each comprised of metal wire mesh spiral having an inner endand an outermost end and arranged in a flattened tubular configurationhaving an inner loop portion overlapped by an outer loop portion withthe outermost end of said spiral being at least partially inwardly bentand engaging said inner loop portion of each electrode element; meansfor retaining said electrode elements; in a side-by-side alignedparallel array, dielectric means for effecting an insulating separationbetween adjacent electrode elements of said array; and means forestablishing an electric discharge between alternate ones of saidelements.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said electrode tubularconfiguration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tubecoaxially within an outer tube.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said outermost end is comprised ofa plurality of protruding and inwardly-bent wires engaging said outertube, with at least some of said wires being again bent parallel to saidouter tube after engagement therewith.

9. Air purification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes eachcomprised of metal wire mesh arranged in a flattened tubularconfiguration and having at least four substantially coextensive meshlayers; a metallic container having open ends for retaining saidelectrodes so that said electrodes are in a side-by-side parallel arrayand with each electrode end adjacent one of said open container ends;dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacentelectrodes of said array; a source of electrical potential supplyingfirst and second outputs; a terminal member located adjacent one of saidopen ends of said containers, said terminal being connected to one ofsaid outputs and having a protruding metallic post; and first and secondconnector means for joining alternate ones of said electrodesrespectively to said first and second electrical outputs, at least oneof said connector means including a twolegged wire clip resilientlyengaging opposite inner walls of one of said electrodes and protrudingoutwardly and longitudinally of said one electrode, said wire clip beingadaptable to resiliently engage said post between its respective legs soas to provide a path between said one electrical output and said oneelectrode.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said electrode tubularconfiguration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tubecoaxially within an outer tube.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which said container is rectangular, saidplurality of side-by-side electrodes is limited to three electrodes,said container closely and resiliently confines said electrodes, saiddielectric means consists of four dielectric plates, a first pair ofwhich separate the inner one of said electrodes from the outer two ofsaid electrodes, a second pair of which separate the electrodes from twosides of the said container with said outer electrodes contacting theremaining two sides of said container, said remaining two containersides comprise said first connector means, and said wire clip engagessaid inner element and comprises said second connector means, with saidother output of the electrical potential source being connected to saidcontainer.

1. AIR PURIFICATION APPARATUS COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODEELEMENTS EACH COMPRISED OF A FLATTENED TUBULAR SPIRAL OF METAL WIRE MESHWOUND SO AS TO DEFINE EFFECTIVELY AN INNER TUBE COXIALLY WITHIN AN OUTERTUBE AND SO THAT THE INNER TUBE IS OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME WIDTH ASSAID OUTER TUBE; MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID ELECTRODE ELELMENTS IN ASIDE-BY SIDE ARRAY WITH THE TUBES THEEOF GENERALLY ALIGNED AND PARALLEL;DIELECTRIC MEANS FOR EFFECTING AN INSULATING SEPARATION BETWEEN ADJACENTELECTRODE ELEMENTS OF SAID ARAY; AND MEANS
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1,in which both said inner tube and said outer tube define incross-section a flattened ellipse, said inner and outer tube also eachdefining reSpective first and second sides generally parallel to eachother.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2, which further includes a rectangularmetallic container with open ends in which said electrode elements arecontained so that the ends thereof face said open ends, a first set ofdielectric plates separates alternate ones of said elements, and asecond set of dielectric plates perpendicular to the first set separatessaid elements from two sides of said container.
 4. Apparatus as in claim3, in which said dielectric plates extend beyond said electrode elementends to extend the insulating path between said element and saidcontainer.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said container containsthree electrode elements and the inner one thereof is separated from theouter two thereof by a first pair of said plates while a second pair ofsaid plates perpendicular to said first pair separates all of saidelements from two sides of said container, said outer electrodescontacting the remaining two sides of said container.
 6. Airpurification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrode elementseach comprised of metal wire mesh spiral having an inner end and anoutermost end and arranged in a flattened tubular configuration havingan inner loop portion overlapped by an outer loop portion with theoutermost end of said spiral being at least partially inwardly bent andengaging said inner loop portion of each electrode element; means forretaining said electrode elements; in a side-by-side aligned parallelarray, dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation betweenadjacent electrode elements of said array; and means for establishing anelectric discharge between alternate ones of said elements.
 7. Apparatusas in claim 6, in which said electrode tubular configuration is a spiralarranged to define effectively an inner tube coaxially within an outertube.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7, in which said outermost end iscomprised of a plurality of protruding and inwardly-bent wires engagingsaid outer tube, with at least some of said wires being again bentparallel to said outer tube after engagement therewith.
 9. Airpurification apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes eachcomprised of metal wire mesh arranged in a flattened tubularconfiguration and having at least four substantially coextensive meshlayers; a metallic container having open ends for retaining saidelectrodes so that said electrodes are in a side-by-side parallel arrayand with each electrode end adjacent one of said open container ends;dielectric means for effecting an insulating separation between adjacentelectrodes of said array; a source of electrical potential supplyingfirst and second outputs; a terminal member located adjacent one of saidopen ends of said containers, said terminal being connected to one ofsaid outputs and having a protruding metallic post; and first and secondconnector means for joining alternate ones of said electrodesrespectively to said first and second electrical outputs, at least oneof said connector means including a twolegged wire clip resilientlyengaging opposite inner walls of one of said electrodes and protrudingoutwardly and longitudinally of said one electrode, said wire clip beingadaptable to resiliently engage said post between its respective legs soas to provide a path between said one electrical output and said oneelectrode.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said electrode tubularconfiguration is a spiral arranged to define effectively an inner tubecoaxially within an outer tube.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 9 in whichsaid container is rectangular, said plurality of side-by-side electrodesis limited to three electrodes, said container closely and resilientlyconfines said electrodes, said dielectric means consists of fourdielectric plates, a first pair of which separate the inner one of saidelectrodes from the outer two of said electrodes, a second pair of whichseparate the electrodes from two sides of the said container with saidouter electrodes contacting the remaining two sides of said container,said remaining two container sides comprise said first connector means,and said wire clip engages said inner element and comprises said secondconnector means, with said other output of the electrical potentialsource being connected to said container.